if you insist on it."

"That's vittles. What'll you drink?"

"Nothing but water. That's strong enough for me."

"Danged if I don't believe you're a minister in disguise."

"I guess I'd make a cur'us preacher," said Joshua, with a comical
twist of his features. "You wouldn't want to hear me preach more'n
once."

In this way our friend Mr. Bickford managed to evade the hospitable
invitations of his comrades and still retain their good-will--not
always an easy thing to achieve in those times.

Joe was equally positive in declining to drink, but it was easier for
him to escape. Even the most confirmed drinkers felt it to be wrong
to coax a boy to drink against his will.

There was still another--Kellogg--who steadfastly adhered to cold
water, or tea and coffee, as a beverage. These three were dubbed by
their companions the "Cold-Water Brigade," and accepted the
designation good-naturedly.

"Joshua," said Joe, some three months after their arrival, "have you
taken account of stock lately?"

"No," said Joshua, "but I'll do it now."

After a brief time he announced the result.

"I've got about five hundred dollars, or thereabouts," he said.

"You have done a little better than I have."

"How much have you?"

"About four hundred and fifty."

"I owe you twenty-five dollars, Joe. That'll make us even."

Joshua was about to transfer twenty-five dollars to Joe, when the
latter stayed his hand.

"Don't be in a hurry, Mr. Bickford," he said. "Wait till we get to
the city."

"Do you know, Joe," said Joshua, in a tone of satisfaction, "I am
richer than I was when I sot out from home?"

"I am glad to hear it, Mr. Bickford. You have worked hard, and
deserve your luck."

"I had only three hundred dollars then; now I've got four hundred and
seventy-five, takin' out what I owe you."

"You needn't take it out at all."

"You've done enough for me, Joe. I don't want you to give me that
debt."

"Remember, Joshua, I have got a business in the city paying me money
all the time. I expect my share of the profits will be more than I
have earned out here."

"That's good. I wish I'd got a business like you. You'd be all
right even if you only get enough to pay expenses here."

"That's so."

"I am getting rather tired of this place, Mr. Bickford," said Joe,
after a little pause.

"You don't think of going back to the city?" asked Joshua
apprehensively.

"Not directly, but I think I should like to see